"Whatever do you mean, mother?"
"What I say, and it is even so; for have I not the promise of the Governor himself? But your father will tell you better, for he knows what has been done."
So Ridge went to his father, who confirmed what he had just heard, saying:
"Yes, son; your mother has exerted her influence in your behalf, and procured for you the promise of a second-lieutenant's commission, provided I am willing to pay for the honor."
"How, father?"
"By using my influence to send Herman Dodley to the Legislature as soon as he comes back from the war."
"Is Dodley going into the army?"
"Yes. He is to be a major."
"And would you help to send such a man to the Legislature?"
"If you wanted to be a lieutenant badly enough to have me do so, I would."